Slight rise in ALT--am I just paranoid?

[Harry Potter]

Hi, I was diagnosed w/Hep C about 18 months ago, most likely infected 1.5 yrs ago.  I've had many many enzyme tests over the course of the 18 mos, with the highest ALT/AST readings being 17/16, respectively.  The only thing in my diet that's changed is that I'm taking SAM-E supplement; other than that, I don't drink & my weight is the same (I could stand to lose about 5 lbs.)  Anyway, I just got my enzyme results back today, and they are 27/15.  I don't know if I'm making a mountain out of a molehill (the lab result says "normal" is 36 ALT & under), but I don't understand why mine would jump 10 pts like that, and am wondering if this means it's going to slowly start rising.  Does one experience symptoms when their liver enzymes elevate?  And at what point should I be worried?  I haven't heard back from my dr. about today's results yet, but he wants me to do blood work 2x a year.  Arrghhh...at least my cholesterol was good, 157, yay!!

[robeire]

hey alt are numbere only-not necessarily the gospel truth-people at transplant stage have had alts in normal ranges - so this is what I mean

mine have been up in the mid 250s for 8 yrs now-  perhaps their is alot of turnover going on in my liver cells
worrying never helped me get better
and it wont serve me well
Rob

[Marcia2202]

I don't want to scare you, bu according to a presentation 'WHy You Should Get Your Hepatitis C Treated Now!' by Prof. Dr. Douglas T. Dieterich, many ppl go undetected, because they have low ALT/AST. These scores do actually not indicate liver damage. I would not undermine a low blood count. You need to have a biopsy to be able to see if there is any damage. Some ppl have hep c for 40 yrs without syptoms and without elevated blood counts, only to find out that they already have cirrhosis. I personally cannot wait to get my biopsy, as it is much better to know where one stands. Best of luck...

[meki]

Harry - you're just paranoid... Yep.. Time to put on the aluminum hat and crawl into the kitchen cabinet... LOL!!! Just kidding...

JUST KIDDING...

It's really a good thing for you to be on top of your scores... But you need to know that those ranges seem really low to me... And a lot of things can cause elevations in the levels.

Check whatcher eating --- and check what meds you've been ingesting (things like tylenol - etc. make big jumps in the levels.)

Super hugs - and keep on keeping on taking care of yourself..

Hey --- Put that aluminum hat down -- that's mine... LOL!


Meki

[moahunter]

I think normal is in the high teens - my alt was just above 30 immediatley before treatment, was around 30 to 60 through treatment, and is down at 17 now. You might want to think about SOC, although I am guessing you have already decided that is not for you (or have already tried), as you are 1.5 years in. I just feel that 1.5 years, is still close enough to infection, that maybe it is worth at least giving it a go to find out if you might not be UND at 4 weeks (indicating very high chance of success).

Anyway - the readings don't look too bad, so if you feel fine, probably not an issue.

[Magnum]

It changes constantly. Not to worry unless it gets very high.

Magnum

[HectorSF]

Harry, no need to be worried. You may want to read up more on HCV and find out how it causes liver disease.
If you were infected 1.5 years ago with HCV you should be fine. You liver is probably that nice shiny nutty color.

Blood tests can be the last indication that something is wrong with your liver. My HCV took 38 years to damage my liver (first sign was low platelet count) so now I have cirrhosis.

Have you had a viral load test and biopsy?

Hector

[Mary4now]

My understanding anything under 50 is OK.  Mine was 45 and the doc considered that "normal" and he is a hepatologist.  
Your ALT sounds fine to me.  I think there are many things that can cause some fluctuation.  Are you taking any NSAID's? for one i'm really not sure of the rest.  (duh), but your ALT looks fine to me.................